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WHAT IS THE RASPBERRY PI

GETTING STARTED

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wHAT IS THE RASPBERRY PI?

So you've probably been hearing about this unimaginably inexpensive DIY computer that young people are going crazy for, learning to write computer code and using to build everything from arcade machines to weather stations to mobile phones! I can only be talking about the Raspberry Pi!

Well what exactly is it? Here's a video from the good folk at the Raspberry Pi Foundation that explains it well:

​Raspberry Pi and physical computing

WHAT'S PHYSICAL COMPUTING?Well, roughly speaking it means building interactive physical devices using a mix of software and hardware that can sense and respond to the real world. Basically it's marrying the digital realm of computers with the physical world using technology.

​The generic inputs and outputs on the Raspberry Pi, that can be connected to a huge range of sensors and motors, means the Pi is perfectly suited for physical computing.​​Here are some fun examples or how the Pi might be used for physical computing, again from the Raspberry Pi foundation:​

​Raspberry pi 2, Model b, 1gb

The Raspberry Pi 2 Model B, 1GB is the second generation of the Raspberry Pi. It is also the most powerful and versatile of the Pi's. It features:

A 900MHz quad-core ARM Cortex-A7 CPU

1GB RAM

4 USB ports

40 GPIO pins

Full HDMI port

Ethernet port

Combined 3.5mm audio jack and composite video

Camera interface (CSI)

Display interface (DSI)

Micro SD card slot

VideoCore IV 3D graphics core

Because it has an ARMv7 processor, it can run the full range of ARM GNU/Linux distributions, including Snappy Ubuntu Core, as well as Microsoft Windows 10 (see this blog post for more information).

The Raspberry Pi 2 has an identical form factor to the previous (Pi 1) Model B+ and has complete compatibility with Raspberry Pi 1.

NOTE: We recommend the Raspberry Pi 2 Model B for use in schools and those that are new to the Raspberry Pi (particularity young students): it offers more flexibility for learners than the leaner Pi 1, which is more useful for embedded projects and projects which require very low power.

Any HDMI/DVI monitor or TV should work as a display for the Pi. For the highest quality image, use a HDMI cable (for modern HDTVs and monitor), or an analog cable for older TVs can also be used with the Pi.

Keyboard and mouse

Any standard USB keyboard and mouse will work with your Raspberry Pi.

Power supply

Use a 5V micro USB power supply to power your Raspberry Pi. Be careful that whatever power supply you use outputs at least 5V and 2A; insufficient power will cause your Pi to behave in strange ways.

NOT ESSENTIAL BUT HELPFUL TO HAVE -

Internet connection

To update or download software, we recommend that you connect your Raspberry Pi to the internet either via an ethernet cable or a wifi adapter.

Headphones

Headphones or earphones with a 3.5mm jack will work with your Raspberry Pi.

2. plugging in your raspberry pi

Before you plug anything into your Raspberry Pi, make sure that you have all the equipment listed above to hand. Then follow these instructions:

Begin by slotting your SD card into the SD card slot on the Raspberry Pi, which will only fit one way.

Next, plug in your USB keyboard and Mouse into the USB slots on the Raspberry Pi.

Make sure that your monitor or TV is turned on, and that you have selected the right input (e.g. HDMI 1, DVI, etc)

If you intend to connect your Raspberry Pi to the internet, plug in an ethernet cable into the ethernet port next to the USB ports, otherwise skip this step.

When you are happy that you have plugged in all the cables and SD card required, finally plug in the micro usb power supply. This action will turn on and boot your Raspberry Pi.​​

NOTE: If you are using your own SD card and want help installing NOOBS following the information contained in this link.

NOTE: If you are using an SD card with NOOBS preinstalled DO NOT FORMAT THE CARD. Some advice on the Raspberry Pi site confusingly makes it seem like this is a required step, but it is meant only for SD without NOOBS preinstalled. Formatting your SD card with preinstalled NOOBS will wipe NOOBS, and all other data from the card.

3. Logging into your raspberry pi

Once your Raspberry Pi has completed the boot process, a login prompt will appear. The default login for Raspbian is username pi with the password raspberry. Note you will not see any writing appear when you type the password. This is a security feature in Linux.

After you have successfully logged in, you will see the command line promptpi@raspberrypi~$